February 21, 2023 |
Various historical accounts say the blizzard of ’49 came out of nowhere. Everyone has had plenty of warning about the blizzard that will pound southern Wyoming this week.
In a sign of how bad conditions will be for Wyoming’s livestock producers, Governor Mark Gordon on Monday announced that has started the process of requesting a “USDA Disaster Designation.”
The governor also asked ranchers to take actions to prepare for the series of severe weather events that are bearing down on the state this week.
“We are well aware of the cumulative impacts this winter has brought to our ag producers,” the governor said in a statement. “The state of Wyoming is already at work with partners, including the United States Department of Agriculture and Farm Service Agency, to determine losses, the period of impact and the geographic scale of impact due to these extraordinary conditions”
The information gathered from across Wyoming will be used to submit a request for a Secretarial Disaster Designation. The governor’s office urged ag producers to contact their local Farm Service agency as soon as possible to learn about the specific information needed so data can be submitted in the correct format to expedite the process.
Wyoming ag industry, especially sheep and cattle producers, have been especially hard this winter. Mortality in herds has been high and is expected to climb. Deep snow levels and drifting has hampered efforts to reach livestock.
USDA secretarial disaster designation must be requested of the Secretary of Agriculture by a Governor or a Governor’s authorized representative. The process is streamlined to reduce paperwork and documentation requirements at the local FSA level.
After several days of high winds and closed roads, hazardous weather is forecast much of the region. The National Weather Service forecasts that high winds will continue into this afternoon, followed by snow and cold.
Winter storm warnings have been issued for both the Snowy and Sierra Madre Mountains. Prolonged moderate to heavy mountain snow has already begun and is expected through early Thursday morning. Multiple feet of accumulation are expected in the high country. Outdoor recreationists should be prepared for punishing conditions.
Blizzard conditions are expected at lower elevations by this afternoon.
An arctic front will bring widespread moderate to heavy snow to the area Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening. Snow accumulation of five inches or more are possible across much of Southern Wyoming.
The worst of the storm is expected to occur tonight through Wednesday morning.
As a result of the pending storm, today’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of County Commissioners has been rescheduled for February 28th. The agenda was already posted but is subject to change.
